CANNON 4 CASE Incomplete

8/19/2019 CANNON 4 CASE Incomplete

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CANNON 4 CASE # 1

RODRIGO JING N. VIDAL, complainant, vs. JUDGE JAIE L. DOJILLO, JR., !nicipal "ial Co!t,anaoa$, %an$asinan, &spon'&nt.

R E S O L U T I O N

AUSTRIA-MARTINEZ, J.:

Before us is a complai! "le# $% complaia! Ro#ri&o Ji& N. 'i#al a&ais! Ju#&e Jaime L. (o)illo, Jr.,

*resi#i& Ju#&e of !+e Muicipal Trial our! of Maaoa&,*a&asia.

T+e a!ece#e! fac!s, as accura!el% arra!e# i !+e repor! of !+e Oce of !+e our! A#miis!ra!or

OA/, are as follo0s:

T+e 1o. Jaime L. (o)illo, Jr., *resi#i& Ju#&e of Muicipal Trial our! a! Maaoa&, *a&asia is +ere

c+ar&e# 0i!+ Misco#uc!. T+e c+ar&e s!emme# from a Elec!io *ro!es! "le# $% !+e $ro!+er of Ju#&e

(o)illo a! !+e Muicipal ircui! Trial our! s!a!ioe# a! Sa 2a$ia, *a&asia !o pro!es! !+e

proclama!io of +erei complaia! as Bara&a% ap!ai i !+e 3443 elec!io.

Mr. 'i#al 5+erei complaia!6 alle&e# !+a! #uri& !+e 37 a# 84 Jul% 3448 +eari&s of !+e Elec!io

*ro!es!, Ju#&e (o)illo sa! $esi#e !+e cousel of +is $ro!+er a# ac!i9el% coac+e#, ai#e#, assis!e#, a#

&ui#e# sai# cousel $% o0 a# !+e sa%i& some!+i&, +a#i& piece of 0ri!i&, remi#i&, a# or

s!oppi& !+e cousel from maifes!i& some!+i& !o !+e cour!, a# o!+er similar ac!s.

omplaia! co!iue# !+a! +erei respo#e!s asser!i9e presece a# #ispla% of par!isa ac!i9i!ies i

full pu$lic 9ie0 coul# o! +a9e $ee i&ore# or uo!ice# $% !+e cour! a uo a# 0oul# &i9e !+e

impressio a# suspicio of par!iali!% of !+e sai# cour! i fa9or of respo#e!s $ro!+er.

Ju#&e (o)illo a#mi!!e# !+a! +e 0as prese! #uri& !+e me!ioe# +eari&s $u! e;plaie# !+a! +e #i# o!

si! $esi#e +is $ro!+ers la0%er $u! i !+e area reser9e# for !+e pu$lic< a# !+a! !+e mai reaso 0+% +e0as !+ere 0as !o o$ser9e +o0 elec!io pro!es!s are co#uc!e# as +e +as e9er co#uc!e# oe. 1is

o!+er reaso 0as !o &i9e moral suppor! !o +is $ro!+er.

T+is ma!!er 0as referre# for i9es!i&a!io a#, i +er repor!, !+e 1o. Ti!a Ro#ri&ue=-'illari, *resi#i&

Ju#&e, RT, Brac+ >?, Ur#ae!a i!% o$ser9e# !+a!:

2rom !+e e9i#ece su$mi!!e# $% !+e par!ies, 5!+e6 u#ersi&e# o!e# !+a! al!+ou&+ !+e complaia!

a# +is 0i!ess claim !+e% sa0 !+e respo#e! !al@i& !o !+e la0%er a# respo#e!s $ro!+er a#

+a#i& o!es !+e% #i# o! +ear !+e alle&e# co9ersa!io a# !+e% #i# o! s!a!e 0+a! 0ere !+ose o!es.

Nei!+er #i# !+e% see respo#e! #o o!+er ac!s !o i!erfere 0i!+ !+e procee#i&s.

osi#eri& !+a! !+e presece of !+e respo#e! #uri& !+e +eari&s of !+e elec!io pro!es! of +is

$ro!+er 0as a#mi!!e# $% $o!+ par!ies, !+e ol% issue lef! is 0+e!+er or o! suc+ presece cos!i!u!es

misco#uc!. I !+is respec!, 5!+e6 u#ersi&e# fur!+er o!e# !+a! !+e complaia!, $% +imself or !+ru +is

la0%er, #i# o! call !+e a!!e!io of !+e cour! muc+ less raise# o$)ec!io !o !+e respo#e!s presece.

T+is is a i#ica!io !+a! #uri& !+e +eari&s5,6 respo#e!s presece #i# o! s!ir a% impressio or

suspicio of i!e!io !o iuece 5!+e6 cour!s ruli&. As #eclare# $% !+e complaia!, +e $ecame

suspicious a# appre+esi9e +e los! !+e case e9e $efore recei9i& !+e #ecisio 0+e +e 0as iforme#

la!er !+a! o! +a9i& a $ro!+er )u#&e +e 0as surel% a loser.

T+e OA !+e recomme#e# !+a! !+e complai! a&ais! respo#e! $e #ismisse# $u! respo#e! )u#&e

s+oul# $e a#9ise# !o $e more circumspec! i +is ac!ios i !+e fu!ure.

e #o o! a&ree 0i!+ !+e OA recomme#a!io.

Respo#e!, i +is #efese, s!a!e# !+a! +e a!!e#e# !+e +eari& of +is $ro!+ers elec!io pro!es! case

)us! !o &i9e moral suppor! a#, i !+e process, also o$ser9e +o0 elec!io pro!es! procee#i&s are

co#uc!e#. Al!+ou&+ cocer for famil% mem$ers is #eepl% i&raie# i !+e 2ilipio cul!ure, respo#e!,

$ei& a )u#&e, s+oul# $ear i mi# !+a! +e is also calle# upo !o ser9e !+e +i&+er i!eres! of preser9i&

!+e i!e&ri!% of !+e e!ire )u#iciar%. ao 3 of !+e o#e of Ju#icial o#uc! reuires a )u#&e !o a9oi#

o! ol% improprie!% $u! also !+e mere appearace of improprie!% i all ac!i9i!ies. E9e if respo#e!

#i# o! i!e# !o use +is posi!io as a )u#&e !o iuece !+e ou!come of +is $ro!+ers elec!io pro!es!, i!

cao! $e #eie# !+a! +is presece i !+e cour!room #uri& !+e +eari& of +is $ro!+ers case 0oul#


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imme#ia!el% &i9e cause for !+e commui!% !o suspec! !+a! +is $ei& a collea&ue i !+e )u#iciar% 0oul#

iuece !+e )u#&e !r%i& !+e case !o fa9or +is $ro!+er. T+e fac! !+a! ei!+er complaia! or +is

cousel o$)ec!e# !o !+e presece of respo#e! #uri& !+e +eari& is imma!erial. Respo#e! +imself

s+oul# +a9e refraie# from pu$licl% s+o0i& +is seemi&l% ac!i9e i!eres! a# par!icipa!io i !+e case,

for +e #oes o! #e% !+a! +e 0+ispere# a# passe# o!es !o +is $ro!+ers la0%er #uri& !+e course of

!+e +eari&. T+us, 0e emp+asi=e our ruli& i ae#a 9s. Alaa,5C6 !+a!:

Ju#&es are reuire# o! ol% !o $e impar!ial $u! also !o appear !o $e so, for appearace is a esse!ial

maifes!a!io of reali!%. ao 3 of !+e o#e of Ju#icial o#uc! e)ois )u#&es !o a9oi# o! )us!

improprie!% i !+eir co#uc! $u! e9e !+e mere appearace of improprie!%.

T+e% mus! co#uc! !+emsel9es i suc+ a maer !+a! !+e% &i9e o &rou# for reproac+.

5Respo#e!s6 ac!s +a9e $ee less !+a circumspec!. 1e s+oul# +a9e @ep! +imself free from a%

appearace of improprie!% a# e#ea9ore# !o #is!ace +imself from a% ac! lia$le !o crea!e a

impressio of i#ecorum.

. . .

T+is remi#er applies all !+e more s!erl% !o muicipal !rial cour! )u#&es li@e respo#e! $ecause !+e%

are !+e )u#icial fro!liers 0+o +a9e #irec! co!ac! 0i!+ !+e par!ies. T+e% are !+e em$o#ime!s of !+epeoples sese of )us!ice. . . .

I#ee#, respo#e! mus! al0a%s $ear i mi# !+a!:

A )u#icial oce !races a lie arou# +is ocial as 0ell as persoal co#uc!, a price oe +as !o pa% for

occup%i& a e;al!e# posi!io i !+e )u#iciar%, $e%o# 0+ic+ +e ma% o! freel% 9e!ure. ao 3 of !+e

o#e of Ju#icial o#uc! e)ois a )u#&e !o a9oi# o! )us! improprie!% i !+e performace of )u#icial

#u!ies $u! i all +is ac!i9i!ies 0+e!+er i +is pu$lic or pri9a!e life. 1e mus! co#uc! +imself i a maer

!+a! &i9es o &rou# for reproac+. Emp+asis supplie#/

'eril%, respo#e! faile# !o li9e up !o !+e #e&ree of proprie!% reuire# of +im $% !+e o#e of Ju#icialo#uc!.

IN 'IE O2 T1E ALL T1E 2OREDOIND, Ju#&e Jaime L. (o)illo, Jr., is fou# DUILT of 9iola!io of ao 3

of !+e o#e of Ju#icial o#uc! a# is +ere$% RE*RIMAN(E( 0i!+ a ARNIND !+a! a repe!i!io of !+e

same or similar ac!s 0oul# $e #eal! 0i!+ more se9erel%.

SO OR(ERE(.

http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2002/jan2002/am_mtj_01_1376.htmhttp://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2005/jul2005/am_mtj_05_1591.htm#_ftn1http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2005/jul2005/am_mtj_05_1591.htm#_ftn1http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2002/jan2002/am_mtj_01_1376.htm


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CANON 4 CASE # (

JOSE)INA C. RI*A+A, complainant, vs. JUDGE AURORA *INAIRA%ARCIA, !nicipal "ialCo!t in Citi&s, Li$ao Cit-, &spon'&nt.

CORONA, J.

Before us is a 9eri"e# complai!5C6 "le# $% Jose"a . Ri$a%a pra%i& !+a! #iscipliar% ac!io $e

!a@e a&ais! Ju#&e Aurora Biamira-*arcia of !+e Muicipal Trial our! i i!ies MT/, Li&ao i!%,

Al$a% rela!i9e !o rimial ase No. F?CG People of the Philippines v. Sps. Vicente and Corazon Ribaya /.

T+e complai! alle&e# !+a! Assis!a! *ro9icial *rosecu!or *e#ro 'e&a, i +is persoal capaci!%, "le#

$efore !+e MT, Li&ao i!% a crimial complai! for estafa a&ais! !+e Spouses Ri$a%a o No9em$er

37, 344C. T+e spouses, af!er recei9i& *C3,444 from 'e&a, alle&e#l% misappropria!e# !+e amou! !o !+e

la!!ers pre)u#ice. T+e prelimiar% i9es!i&a!io 0as !+e co#uc!e# $% respo#e! )u#&e.

omplaia!, !+e #au&+!er of !+e accuse# spouses, o$ser9e# se9eral irre&ulari!ies i !+e co#uc! of

!+e prelimiar% i9es!i&a!io a# !+e issuace of !+e 0arra! of arres!: C/ o a#a9i! of a% ame#

0i!ess 0as a!!ac+e# !o !+e complai!< 3/ oe of !+e 0i!esses, a cer!ai A!alRe$acos, 0as a

"c!i!ious perso< 8/ respo#e! issue# a 0arra! of arres! 536 o !+e same #a% !+e complai!0as "le#

0i!+ou! a searc+i& e;amia!io of a% of !+e 0i!esses a# >/ a $ail $o# of *C4,444for eac+

accuse# 0as also ";e# o !+e same #a%.

T+ereaf!er, !+e spouses "le# !+e follo0i& plea#i&s: a/ Opposi!io !o !+e Issuace of arra! of

Arres! a# Mo!io for Lea9e !o "le Mo!io for Recosi#era!io of !+e *rosecu!ors Resolu!io< 5H6 $/

Mo!io !o Recall arra! of Arres! a# i!s Impleme!a!io $e 1el# i A$e%ace< 5?6 c/ Suppleme!al !o

!+e Mo!io !o Recall arra! of Arres!<5G6

a# #/ Mo!io for Recosi#era!io.5F6

I a or#er #a!e# Jauar% CG, 3443, respo#e! )u#&e #eie# all of !+e fore&oi& mo!ios a#

opposi!io.

T+e spouses !+e "le# a mo!io !o uas+ a# sou&+! !+e ulli"ca!io of su$seue! or#ers576 o

2e$ruar% C>, 3443. T+e% alle&e# !+a! !+e MT +a# o )uris#ic!io a# au!+ori!% !o co#uc! a

prelimiar% i9es!i&a!io of a complai! "le# $% a oe#e# par!% #irec!l% 0i!+ !+e cour!. T+e au!+ori!%

!o co#uc! a prelimiar% i9es!i&a!io 0as 9es!e# solel% o !+e Oce of !+e i!% *rosecu!or.

+ile 0ai!i& for !+e resolu!io of !+eir mo!io !o uas+, !+e spouses #i# o! pos! $ail. T+e%

$elie9e# !+a! !+ere 0as o ee# for !+em !o #o so sice a% 0arra! issue# for !+eir arres! 0oul# $e9oi#, +a9i& $ee irre&ularl% issue#.

O April C4, 3443, +o0e9er, ora=o Ri$a%a 0as appre+e#e# $% !0o arres!i& ocers i !+e

pu$lic mar@e! of Li&ao i!% $% 9ir!ue of a 0arra! of arres! issue# $% respo#e! )u#&e.

Because of !+e irrepara$le #ama&e, me!al a&uis+ a# social +umilia!io suere# $% +er mo!+er

ora=o, !+e complaia! "le# !+is a#miis!ra!i9e case a&ais! Ju#&e *arcia o Ma% C?, 3443.

I +er as0er5C46 #a!e# Au&us! H, 3443, respo#e! )u#&e claime# !+a! complaia!, a la0 s!u#e!

0+o prepare# all !+e mo!ios "le# $% +er pare!s, 0as o! a par!% i rimial ase No. F?CG. T+e

mo!ios $asicall% ues!ioe# respo#e!s au!+ori!% !o co#uc! a prelimiar% i9es!i&a!io.

Respo#e! e;plaie# !+a! s+e co#uc!e# !+e prelimiar% i9es!i&a!io of !+e crimial complai!

a&ais! !+e spouses $ecause !+e Ocer-i-+ar&e OI/ of !+e Oce of !+e i!% *rosecu!or 0as !oo

$us% !o #o so.

To suppor! +er claim, respo#e! a!!ac+e# !+e a#a9i!5CC6 of A&eles S. 'asue=, OI of !+e i!%

*rosecu!ors Oce of !+e !+e e0l%-crea!e# Li&ao i!%. 'asue= s!a!e# !+a! !+e i!% *rosecu!ors Oce

0as s!ill u#er&oi& reor&ai=a!io 0+e !+e su$)ec! crimial complai! 0as "le#. I! +a# ei!+er

eou&+ mapo0er or oce space i !+e 1all of Jus!ice. T+e posi!ios of i!% *rosecu!or, Assis!a!

*rosecu!ors, s!eo&rap+ers a# s!a +a# o! %e! $ee "lle#. 1is 0or@loa# as Assis!a! *ro9icial

*rosecu!or a# OI i!% *rosecu!or 0as so +ea9% !+a! !ime cos!rai!s #i# o! permi! +im !o co#uc!

http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2005/apr2005/am_mtj_04_1547.htm#_ftn1http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2005/apr2005/am_mtj_04_1547.htm#_ftn2http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2005/apr2005/am_mtj_04_1547.htm#_ftn5http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2005/apr2005/am_mtj_04_1547.htm#_ftn6http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2005/apr2005/am_mtj_04_1547.htm#_ftn7http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2005/apr2005/am_mtj_04_1547.htm#_ftn8http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2005/apr2005/am_mtj_04_1547.htm#_ftn9http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2005/apr2005/am_mtj_04_1547.htm#_ftn10http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2005/apr2005/am_mtj_04_1547.htm#_ftn11http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2005/apr2005/am_mtj_04_1547.htm#_ftn1http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2005/apr2005/am_mtj_04_1547.htm#_ftn2http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2005/apr2005/am_mtj_04_1547.htm#_ftn5http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2005/apr2005/am_mtj_04_1547.htm#_ftn6http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2005/apr2005/am_mtj_04_1547.htm#_ftn7http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2005/apr2005/am_mtj_04_1547.htm#_ftn8http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2005/apr2005/am_mtj_04_1547.htm#_ftn9http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2005/apr2005/am_mtj_04_1547.htm#_ftn10http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2005/apr2005/am_mtj_04_1547.htm#_ftn11


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prelimiar% i9es!i&a!ios. T+us, i! 0as !+e respo#e! )u#&e 0+o co#uc!e# !+e prelimiar%

i9es!i&a!io.

Re&ar#i& !+e mo!io !o uas+ a# ulli"ca!io of su$seue! or#ers, 5C36 respo#e! )u#&e merel%

s!a!e# !+a! !+e proper reme#% of !+e spouses 0as !o "le a pe!i!io for aulme! of !+e procee#i&s

$efore !+e Re&ioal Trial our! RT/.

I a re)oi#er5C86 #a!e# Au&us! G, 3443, complaia! o!e# !+a! !+e a#a9i! of OI i!% *rosecu!or

A&eles S. 'asue= iroicall% suppor!e#, if o! pro9e#, +er claim !+a! !+e respo#e! +a# i fac! $ee

co#uc!i& prelimiar% i9es!i&a!ios. S+e also rei!era!e# !+a! !+e cos!i!u!ioal ri&+!s of +er pare!s0ere 9iola!e# 0+e respo#e!: a/ issue# a 0arra! of arres! 0i!+ou! a prelimiar% e;amia!io of !+e

complaia!s 0i!esses a# $/ issue# !+e 0arra! of arres! o !+e same #a% !+e complai! 0as "le#.

I a repor!5C>6 #a!e# Jul% F, 3448, !+e Oce of !+e our! A#miis!ra!or OA/ fou# !+a! respo#e!

erre# 0+e s+e co#uc!e# !+e prelimiar% i9es!i&a!io of !+e su$)ec! crimial complai! e9e af!er !+e

Muicipali!% of Li&ao, Al$a% +a# $ee co9er!e# i!o a ci!%. T+e OA recomme#e# !+a!: C/ !+e

complai! $e re-#oc@e!e# as a re&ular a#miis!ra!i9e ma!!er< a# 3/ !+e respo#e! $e reprima#e#,

#irec!e# !o coce!ra!e +er !ime a# eor! o performi& +er )u#icial !as@s a# 0are# !+a! a

repe!i!io of !+e same or similar oese 0oul# $e #eal! 0i!+ more se9erel%.

A mo!io for recosi#era!io5CH6

0as "le# $% respo#e! o Oc!o$er C, 3448. T+is !ime, +o0e9er,respo#e! claime# !+a! 0+a! s+e co#uc!e# o No9em$er 37, 344C 0as a preliminary examination !o

#e!ermie pro$a$le cause for !+e issuace of a 0arra! of arres! a&ais! !+e spouses. Respo#e! also

claime# !+a! !+e crimial complai! 0as &o9ere# $% Sec. 7, Rule CC3 of !+e Re9ise# Rules of rimial

*roce#ure, !+e rule &o9eri& cases !+a! #i# o! reuire prelimiar% i9es!i&a!io.

Sice !+e amou! i9ol9e# i !+e es!afa case 0as *C3,444, o prelimiar% i9es!i&a!io 0as

reuire#. S+e e;plaie# !+a! u#er Ar!. 8CH of !+e Re9ise# *eal o#e R*/, !+e peal!% for es!afa

0+ere !+e amou! #efrau#e# is o9er *?,444 $u! o! e;cee#i& *C3,444 is prisioncorreccional i i!s

miimum a# me#ium perio#s, !+a! is, imprisome! ra&i& from 6 months and 1 day to 4 years and

2 months. osi#eri& !+a! Sec. 3, Rule CC3, !+e sec!io relie# upo $% complaia!, reuire# a

prelimiar% i9es!i&a!io for oeses 0+ere !+e peal!% prescri$e# $% la0 is at least 4 years 2 monthsand 1 day , !+e crimial case a&ais! !+e spouses 0as o! amo& !+ose ee#i& prelimiar%

i9es!i&a!io. I a% e9e!, respo#e! isis!e# !+a! u#er Sec. ?$/, Rule CC3, a prelimiar%

i9es!i&a!io coul# $e co#uc!e# ei!+er $% !+e )u#&e or !+e prosecu!or.

A opposi!io5C?6 !o !+e mo!io for recosi#era!io 0as su$mi!!e# $% complaia! o Oc!o$er 3H,

3448.

*relimiar% i9es!i&a!io is a iuir% or procee#i& !o #e!ermie 0+e!+er !+ere is sucie! &rou#

!o e&e#er a 0ell-fou#e# $elief !+a! a crime +as $ee commi!!e# a# !+e respo#e! is pro$a$l%

&uil!% !+ereof a# s+oul# $e +el# for !rial.5CG6

Amo& !+e ocers au!+ori=e# $% Sec. 3, Rule CC3 5CF6 of !+e Re9ise# Rules o rimial *roce#ure !o

co#uc! prelimiar% i9es!i&a!io are !+e ci!% prosecu!ors a# )u#&es of !+e MT a# MT. Al!+ou&+

)u#&es of iferior cour!s are au!+ori=e# !o co#uc! prelimiar% i9es!i&a!io of all crimes 0i!+i !+eir

)uris#ic!io, !+e !as@ is esse!iall% a e;ecu!i9e fuc!io. As far $ac@ as Collector of C!stoms v. Villal!z ,5C76 0e alrea#% +el# !+a!:

506+ile 0e sus!ai !+e po0er of !+e ; ;; cour!s !o co#uc! prelimiar% e;amia!io, pursua! !o Our

os!i!u!ioal po0er of a#miis!ra!i9e super9isio o9er all cour!s, as a ma!!er of polic%, 0e e)oi ; ;;

)u#&e5s6 ; ;; !o coce!ra!e o +eari& a# #eci#i& $efore !+eir cour!s. ; ;; 5Ju#&es6 s+oul# o!

ecum$er !+emsel9es 0i!+ !+e prelimiar% e;amia!io a# i9es!i&a!io of crimial complai!s, 0+ic+

!+e% s+oul# refer !o !+e muicipal )u#&e or pro9icial or ci!% "scal, 0+o i !ur ca u!ili=e !+e assis!ace

of !+e s!a!e prosecu!or !o co#uc! suc+ prelimiar% e;amia!io a# i9es!i&a!io.

T+e ol# rules pro9i#e# !+a!:

Ju#&es of Me!ropoli!a Trial our!s, e;cep! !+ose i !+e Na!ioal api!al Re&io, of Muicipal Trial

our!s, a# Muicipal Trial our!s s+all +a9e au!+ori!% !o co#uc! prelimiar% i9es!i&a!ios of crimes

alle&e# !o +a9e $ee commi!!e# 0i!+i !+eir respec!i9e !erri!orial )uris#ic!ios 0+ic+ are co&i=a$le $%

Re&ioal Trial our!s.5346

i!% )u#&es !+e 0ere clearl% au!+ori=e# !o co#uc! prelimiar% i9es!i&a!io a# e;amia!io. Bu!

e9e !+e, 0e also +el# !+a! !+e pro9isios of Rule CC3 &ra!i& ci!% )u#&es !+e au!+ori!% !o co#uc!

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prelimiar% i9es!i&a!io did not apply to "!d#es of cities the charters of $hich a!thorized the city %scal

only to cond!ct preliminary investi#ation of criminal complaints.53C6

T+is ruli& 0as, i fac!, i!e&ra!e# i!o !+e Re9ise# Rules of rimial *roce#ure. U#er Sec. C, Rule

CC4, crimial ac!ios i chartered cities are is!i!u!e# $% "li& !+e complai! only $ith the City

Prosec!tor . T+e rule implies !+a! !+e !as@ of co#uc!i& prelimiar% i9es!i&a!io i !+ese ci!ies is o0

lo#&e# 0i!+ !+e Oce of !+e i!% *rosecu!or. oseue!l%, iferior cour! )u#&es of ci!ies 0+ose

c+ar!ers au!+ori=e ol% !+e "scal !o co#uc! prelimiar% i9es!i&a!io are o lo&er allo0e# !o perform

!+is fuc!io.

T+e Muicipali!% of Li&ao 0as co9er!e# i!o a ci!% $% RA 744F 0+ic+ !oo@ eec! o 2e$ruar% 3C,

344C. T+is la0, also @o0 as !+e c+ar!er of !+e i!% of Li&ao, pro9i#es i Sec. H4 !+a!:

a/ T+ere s+all $e es!a$lis+e# i !+e ci!% a prosecu!io ser9ice !o $e +ea#e# $% a ci!%

prosecu!or a# suc+ um$er of assis!a! prosecu!ors as ma% $e ecessar%, 0+o s+all $e

or&ai=a!ioall% par! of !+e (epar!me! of Jus!ice (OJ/, a# u#er !+e super9isio a#

co!rol of !+e Secre!ar% of Jus!ice a# 0+ose uali"ca!ios, maer of appoi!me!, ra@,

salar% a# $ee"!s s+all $e &o9ere# $% e;is!i& la0s co9eri& prosecu!io i !+e (OJ<

$/ T+e Cit- %os&c!to s/all /an'l& t/& ciminal pos&c!tion in t/& "C in t/& cit- as

0&ll as in t/& R"C o ciminal cas&s oi$inatin$ in t/& t&ito- o t/& cit- , a#s+all re#er !o or for !+e ci!% suc+ ser9ices as are reuire# $% la0, or#iace or re&ula!ioof !+e (OJ<

c/T+e Secre!ar% of Jus!ice s+all al0a%s assure !+e a#euac% a# uali!% of !+e prosecu!io

ser9ice i !+e ci!% a# for !+is purpose, s+all i !+e a$sece or lac@ or isuciec% i

um$er of ci!% assis!a! prosecu!ors as pro9i#e# +ereia$o9e, #esi&a!e from amo& !+e

assis!a! pro9icial prosecu!ors, a sucie! um$er !o perform a# #isc+ar&e !+e fuc!ios

of !+e ci!% prosecu!io ser9ice as pro9i#e# +ereia$o9e. &mphasis o!rs/

learl%, respo#e! )u#&e +a# o more au!+ori!% !o co#uc! a prelimiar% i9es!i&a!io of !+e

su$)ec! crimial complai!. T+e ocer au!+ori=e# !o co#uc! prelimiar% i9es!i&a!ios i !+e !+ee0l%-crea!e# i!% of Li&ao 0as i!s i!% *rosecu!or. A! !+a! !ime, !+e #u!% #e9ol9e# upo OI i!%

*rosecu!or A&eles S. 'asue=, #espi!e !+e a#miis!ra!i9e #icul!ies +e 0as ecou!eri&. As a ma!!er

of fac!, OI 'asue= @e0 full% 0ell !+a! !+e !as@ 0as +is 0+e +e s!a!e# i +is a#a9i!:

; ;; as OI of !+e i!% *rosecu!io Oce, !+e u#ersi&e# prosecu!es all +eious cases emaa!i&

from !+e i!% of Li&ao as $ell as those crimes or o'enses co#nizable by the ()CC. T+is 0or@loa# is

asi#e from ;;; re&ular assi&me! as a Assis!a! *ro9icial *rosecu!or. 5336 &mphasis s!pplied/

Re&ar#i& !+e proprie!% of co#uc!i& a prelimiar% i9es!i&a!io, respo#e! correc!l% o$ser9e#

al!+ou&+ ui!e $ela!e#l%/ !+a! i! 0as o! ee#e# i !+e es!afa case. T+e ma;imum peal!% for !+e

crime alle&e#l% commi!!e# !+ere 6 months and 1 day to 4 years and 2 months / #i# o! mee! !+emiimum peal!% at least 4 years 2 months and 1 day / reuire# !o ma@e a prelimiar% i9es!i&a!io

par! of !+e spouses ri&+! !o #ue process. Ne9er!+eless, 0e o!ice# !+e co!ra#ic!io $e!0ee +er

as0er a# +er mo!io for recosi#era!io as !o 0+a! s+e ac!uall% co#uc!e# o No9em$er 37, 344C. I

+er as0er, s+e )us!i"e# +er au!+ori!% !o co#uc! a prelimiar% investi#ation. I +er mo!io for

recosi#era!io5386 of !+e OAs Sep!em$er 8, 3448 resolu!io, +o0e9er, s+e #eclare# !+a! s+e

co#uc!e# a prelimiar% examination !o )us!if% !+e issuace of a 0arra! of arres!.

T+e reaso for respo#e!s s+if! i #efese 0as appare!. 1er e;plaa!io i !+e la!er mo!io o!

ol% )us!i"e# all +er ac!s $u! 0as also calcula!e# !o a$sol9e +er from a% a#miis!ra!i9e lia$ili!%. e!, if

!+e arra!io i +er mo!io for recosi#era!io 0as 0+a! ac!uall% !raspire#, 0e #o o! u#ers!a# 0+%

s+e faile# !o ci!e !+is i +er as0er. Sice !+a! 0as +er "rs! oppor!ui!% !o prese! +er si#e, i! 0oul#

+a9e pro9i#e# !+is our! 0i!+ eou&+ $asis !o clear +er imme#ia!el%. 1er failure !o #o so coul# ol%

mea !+a!, co!rar% !o +er la!er claim, 0+a! s+e co#uc!e# !+a! #a% 0as i#ee# a prelimiar%

i9es!i&a!io. 1er su$seue! mo!io for recosi#era!io $ase# o a claim of prelimiar% e;amia!io

0as, !o us, a mere a!!emp! !o co9er +er !rac@s.

Bu! 0+% #i# s+e e9e +a9e !o co9er +er !rac@s T+ere appeare# !o $e some!+i& more $e+i# !+e

prelimiar% i9es!i&a!io s+e co#uc!e# i !+e es!afa case. Se9eral ues!ios $o!+er us.

2irs!, as a !+e e0l%-appoi!e# )u#&e of a e0l%-co9er!e# cour!, s+e 0as e;pec!e# !o +a9e

apprise# +erself of !+e scope a# limi!s of +er au!+ori!% a# )uris#ic!io. 1er su##e i&orace of $asic

proce#ure ma@es us 0o#er a$ou! !+e real s!or% $e+i# +er 9olu!eeri& !o co#uc! !+e prelimiar%

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i9es!i&a!io. T+e complaia! !+ere, *e#ro 'e&a, 0as a Assis!a! *ro9icial *rosecu!or. Are 0e !o

$elie9e !+a! i a small place li@e Li&ao i!%, Al$a%, respo#e! Ju#&e *arcia a# Assis!a! *ro9icial

*rosecu!or 'e&a #i# o! @o0 or 0ere o! acuai!e# 0i!+ eac+ o!+er a! all

Seco#, 0e are s@ep!ical of OI 'asue=s +ea9% 0or@loa# 0+ic+ alle&e#l% lef! +im o !ime !o a!!e#

!o !+e #u!% e!rus!e# !o +im $% la0. 1a# i! !a@e +im a lo& !ime !o resol9e !+e complai!, i! 0oul#

+a9e $ee perfec!l% u#ers!a#a$le. Bu! e!rus!i& i!s i9es!i&a!io !o oe +e s+oul# +a9e @o0 +a#

o au!+ori!% !o co#uc! i! 0as a e!irel% #iere! ma!!er al!o&e!+er.

T+ir#, 0+% #i# respo#e! )u#&e 9olu!aril% oer !o assis! OI 'asue= o!0i!+s!a#i& +er lac@ of au!+ori!% !o #o so A# 0+% 0as OI 'asue= so ea&er !o accep! +er oer

T+ere appear )us! !oo ma% i!ri&ui& ucer!ai!ies surrou#i& !+e "li& of !+e es!afa case. e

!+erefore #irec! our a!!e!io !o respo#e! )u#&es failure !o erase our #ou$!s o9er +o0 s+e

a#miis!ers )us!ice i +er )uris#ic!io. T+e aos of Ju#icial E!+ics remi#s e9er% )u#&e:

C3. *inship or in+!ence of parties and co!nsel. K ;; o! 5!o6 suer 5+er6 co#uc! !o crea!e !+e

impressio !+a! a% perso ca u#ul% iuece 5+er6 or e)o% +er fa9or, or !+a! 5s6+e is aec!e# $%

!+e ra@, posi!io, or iuece of a% par!%.

Respo#e! )u#&e mus! $e remi#e# !+a! s+e s+oul# #o +oor !o +er posi!io o! ol% $% re#eri& )us!, correc! a# impar!ial #ecisios $u! #oi& so i a maer free from a% suspicio as !o !+eir

fairess a# impar!iali!%, a# as !o +er i!e&ri!%. A spo!less #ispesa!io of )us!ice reuires o! ol% !+a!

!+e #ecisio re#ere# $e i!risicall% fair $u! !+a! !+e )u#&e re#eri& i! mus! a! all !imes mai!ai !+e

appearace of fairess a# impar!iali!%.53>6

osi#eri& all !+is, respo#e! )u#&e commi!!e# simple misco#uc! i oce. Misco#uc! i oce

+as a 0ell-#e"e# meai&. I! refers !o misco#uc! !+a! aec!s !+e )u#&es performace of +er #u!ies

a# o! )us! +er c+arac!er as a pri9a!e i#i9i#ual. To cos!i!u!e a a#miis!ra!i9e oese, misco#uc!

s+oul# rela!e !o or $e coec!e# 0i!+ !+e performace of !+e ocial fuc!ios a# #u!ies of a pu$lic

ocer.53H6

Ne9er!+eless, 0e "# o!+i& irre&ular i respo#e!s issuace of a 0arra! of arres! o !+e same

#a% !+e complai! 0as "le#. As lo& as !+e cos!i!u!ioal ma#a!e 0as complie# 0i!+, !+a! is, !+e

0arra! of arres! 0as issue# upo a "#i& of pro$a$le cause persoall% $% !+e )u#&e af!er a

e;amia!io u#er oa!+ or arma!io of !+e complaia! a# !+e 0i!esses +e may pro#uce, !+e

0arra! of arres! 0as 9ali#. Af!er all, !+e purpose of issui& !+e 0arra! of arres! 0as !o place !+e

respo#e!s u#er imme#ia!e cus!o#% i or#er o! !o frus!ra!e !+e e#s of )us!ice. Respo#e! )u#&e

e;amie# !+e complaia! *e#ro 'e&a o !+e #a% !+e complai! 0as "le# a# s+e 0as sa!is"e# !+a!

pro$a$le cause e;is!e#. T+e 0arra! of arres! s+e issue# a&ais! !+e spouses Ri$a%a 0as, !+erefore,

)us!i"e# a# o 9iola!io of !+eir cos!i!u!ioal ri&+!s occurre#.

23ERE)ORE, respo#e! Ju#&e Aurora Biamira-*arcia is +ere$% fou# &uil!% of simplemisco#uc! a# a "e of *CC,444 is impose# o +er. S+e is +ere$% #irec!e# !o #e9o!e +er !ime a#eor! e;clusi9el% !o #isc+ar&i& +er )u#icial fuc!ios. S+e is fur!+ermore 0are# !+a! a repe!i!io of

!+e same or similar ac! 0ill meri! a more se9ere peal!%.

SO ORDERED.

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CANON 4 CASE #

O))ICE O) "3E COUR" ADIN vs JUDGE A5IO G.2. %ADERANGA

)acts

*e!i!ioer 5referri& !o A!!%. oc+i!o J. Oclari!6 is a la0%er e&a&e# i !+e pri9a!e prac!ice of la0

pricipall% i !+e i!% of a&a%a #e Oro a# !+e pro9ice of Misamis Orie!al. A! !imes ma!erial +ere!o,

pe!i!ioer 0as cousel for !+e plai!is i !+e case e!i!le#, spouses Dre&orio a# *ele&ria Ba$a!i#o 9.Elora a# Teo#oro A$ella, e!. al., i9il ase No. 77-C7>, Re&ioal Trial our!, Misamis Orie!al, Brac+

8F, a&a%a #e Oro i!%. Ju#&e Ma;imo D.. *a#era&a 0as !+e presi#i& )u#&e, Re&ioal Trial our!,

Misamis Orie!al, Brac+ 8F.

O Jue C, C777 +eari&, pe!i!ioer "le# a mo!io !o appro9e compromise a&reeme! e!ere# $%

par!ies $efore a $r&% cap!ai. ousel for !+e #efe#a!s oppose# !+e mo!io $ecause !+is is

#isa#9a!a&eous !o #efe#a!s. A! !+is poi!, pe!i!ioer iforme# !+e cour! !+a! !+e compromise

a&reeme! 0as si&e# a# 0as e;plaii& fur!+er 0+e !+e cour! !ol# +im repea!e#l% !o s+u! up. T+e

pe!i!ioer reues!e# !+e cour! !o s!op s+ou!i& a! +im. T+e cour! r+e!oricall% as@e#: 0+% s+oul# !+e

cour! precisel% o! ci!e %ou for co!emp! for #oi& !+a!, !+a! is, for se!!li& !+e case $efore !+e

$ara&a% cap!ai.

oseue!l%, !+e presi#i& )u#&e ci!e# pe!i!ioer i co!emp! of cour! a# impose# o +im a "e of

*C,444.44. *e!i!ioer remar@e# !+a! !+e presi#i& )u#&e 0as $ecomi& 9er% arro&a!. I repl% !o !+a!,

respo#e! )u#&e #eclare#: I 0ill pu! %ou i )ail. De! a policema. A! !+a! mome!, !+e cour! issue# a

9er$al or#er +ol#i& pe!i!ioer for #irec! co!emp! of cour! a# se!eci& pe!i!ioer !o ser9e oe C/

#a% i )ail a# !o pa% a "e of *C,444.44. *e!i!ioer i#ica!e# !+a! +e 0oul# c+alle&e !+e ruli&. T+e,

respo#e! )u#&e issue# a #e!e!io commi!me! !o !+e Jail ar#e, i!% Jail, a&a%a #e Oro i!%,

commi!!i& !+e perso of pe!i!ioer oc+i!o J. Oclari! for #irec! co!emp!.

T+e e;! #a%, 0i!+ pe!i!ioer i )ail, +e recei9e# a cop% of !+e 0ri!!e or#er #eclari& +im i #irec!

co!emp! of cour! a# se!eci& +im !o pa% a "e of *C,444.44 a# also !o ser9e oe C/ #a% i )ail.1e 0as release# af!er ser9i& oe C/ #a% i )ail. Appare!l%, +e also pai# !+e "e of *C,444.44.

IN 'IE 1EREO2, !+e our! DRANTS !+e pe!i!io a# re#ers )u#&me! #eclari& 'OI( !+e or#er

"#i& pe!i!ioer &uil!% of #irec! co!emp! of cour! i i9il ase No. 77-C7>, a# se!eci& +im !o pa%

a "e of *C,444.44 a# !o ser9e oe C/ #a% i )ail. T+e cour! or#ers respo#e! )u#&e !o reim$urse

pe!i!ioer !+e sum of *C,444.44, o! ou! of !+e amou! pai# $% pe!i!ioer !o !+e cour! $u! from +is o0

fu#s. T+e our! re&re!s !+a! pe!i!ioer +a# !o ser9e !ime i )ail $% a #espo!ic ac! of respo#e! )u#&e.

T+e our! or#ers !+e our! A#miis!ra!or, Supreme our!, !o "le a a#miis!ra!i9e c+ar&e a&ais!

respo#e! Ju#&e Ma;imo D.. *a#era&a, Re&ioal Trial Ju#&e, Re&ioal Trial our!, Misamis Orie!al,

Brac+ 8F, a&a%a #e Oro i!%, for &ross misco#uc! a# &ra9e a$use of au!+ori!%, 0i!+i "f!ee CH/#a%s from o!ice. T+is #ecisio is imme#ia!el% e;ecu!or%. os!s a&ais! respo#e! Ju#&e.

I compliace 0i!+ !+e #irec!i9e of !+e our!, !+e OA, i a complai! #a!e# Oc!o$er >, 344C, c+ar&e#

Ju#&e *a#era&a 0i!+ &ross misco#uc! a# &ra9e a$use of au!+ori!%. I !+e same a#miis!ra!i9e

complai!, !+e OA, !+rou&+ (epu!% our! A#miis!ra!or +ris!op+er O. Loc@, pra%e# !+a! respo#e!

$e reuire# !o "le +is comme! a# !+a! !+e case $e su$mi!!e# !o a Associa!e Jus!ice of !+e our! of

Appeals A/ for i9es!i&a!io, repor! a# recomme#a!io.

O No9em$er 3C, 344C, !+is our! issue# a resolu!io reuiri& respo#e! !o "le +is omme! !o !+e

a#miis!ra!i9e complai! "le# $% !+e OA. Respo#e! faile# !o compl%.

I a Resolu!io #a!e# Jauar% C3, 344>, !+is our!, o!i& respo#e!s failure !o "le +is comme!,

#irec!e# !+e la!!er !o repor! 0+e!+er +e +a# complie# 0i!+ !+e (ecisio of !+is our! #a!e# Jauar% 3>,

344C, a# if i !+e arma!i9e, su$mi! proof of compliace !+ere0i!+< a# !o s+o0 cause 0+% +e s+oul#

o! $e #iscipliaril% #eal! 0i!+ or +el# i co!emp! for failure !o "le comme! o !+e a#miis!ra!i9e

complai! "le# a&ais! +im, a# !o su$mi! !+e reuire# comme!, !e C4/ #a%s from o!ice !+ereof.

I +is ompliace 0i!+ Maifes!a!io 0i!+ Reues! a# lari"ca!io, respo#e!, !+rou&+ cousel,

iforme# !+e our! of +is compliace 0i!+ !+e our!s (ecisio of Jauar% 3>, 344C. As !o +is failure !o

"le +is comme! !o !+e a#miis!ra!i9e complai! "le# $% !+e OA, respo#e! reasoe# ou! !+a!

ei!+er +e or +is cousel recei9e# or 0as furis+e# a cop% of !+e sai# complai!.


8/21

O Ma% 3>, 344>, !+is our! issue# ao!+er resolu!io s!a!i& amo& o!+ers !+a!: T+e our! o!es from

!+e re&is!r% re!ur car#s for !+e Resolu!io of No9em$er 3C, 344C, 0+ic+ reuire# respo#e! )u#&e !o

comme! o !+e a#miis!ra!i9e complai! for &ross misco#uc! a# &ross a$use of au!+ori!% "le# $%

!+e Oce of !+e our! A#miis!ra!or, !+a! copies of sai# resolu!io 0ere recei9e# $% respo#e! )u#&e

as 0ell as Arcol a# Musi La0 Oces o a us!a!e# #a!e i (ecem$er 344C a# (ecem$er C7, 344C,

respec!i9el%. T+e recor#s #o o! s+o0 0+e!+er copies of !+e a#miis!ra!i9e complai! 0ere a!!ac+e# !o

!+e copies of !+e resolu!ios recei9e# $% !+em. 1o0e9er, e9e assumi& !+a! copies of !+e complai!

0ere ia#9er!e!l% omi!!e#, respo#e! )u#&e or +is cousel s+oul# +a9e imme#ia!el% calle# !+e

a!!e!io of !+e our! !o !+e omissio. I! is ol% af!er !+e% +a9e recei9e# !+e our!s Resolu!io #a!e#

Jauar% C3, 344> !+a! !+e% iforme# !+e our! !+a! !+e% +a9e o! recei9e# a cop% of !+e complai!,!+ere$% u#ul% #ela%i& !+e procee#i&s a# resolu!io of !+is a#miis!ra!i9e ma!!er.

Iss!&

ON respo#e! is &uil!% of &ross misco#uc! a# &ra9e a$use of au!+ori!%.

3&l'

Respo#e! Ju#&e Ma;imo D.. *a#era&a is fou# &uil!% of &ra9e a$use of au!+ori!% a# simplemisco#uc!. 1e is +ere$% RE*RIMAN(E( a# STERNL ARNE( !+a! repe!i!io of !+e same or similar

ac!s s+all $e #eal! 0i!+ more se9erel%.

Respo#e! )u#&e &ra9el% a$use# +is #iscre!io i #eclari& pe!i!ioer &uil!% of #irec! co!emp! of

cour!, se!eci& +im !o pa% a "e of *C,444.44 a# !o ser9e oe #a% i )ail. I! 0as respo#e! )u#&e

0+o "rs! s+ou!e# successi9el% a! pe!i!ioer !o s+u! up. +e pe!i!ioer persis!e# i ma@i& +is

e;plaa!io, !+e cour! #eclare# +im i #irec! co!emp!, !o !+e e;!e! of s!a!i& !+a! !+e )u#&e +a#

a$solu!e po0er. T+e la0%ers remar@s e;plaii& +is posi!io i !+e case u#er cosi#era!io #o o!

ecessaril% assume !+e le9el of co!umel% !+a! )us!i"es !+e cour! !o e;ercise !+e po0er of co!emp!.

our!s mus! $e slo0 !o puis+ for #irec! co!emp!. T+is #ras!ic po0er mus! $e use# spari&l% i cases

of clearl% co!umacious $e+a9ior i facie curiae. T+e salu!ar% rule is !+a! !+e po0er !o puis+ forco!emp! mus! $e e;ercise# o !+e preser9a!i9e, o! 9i#ic!i9e priciple, a# o !+e correc!i9e a# o!

re!alia!or% i#ea of puis+me!. T+e cour!s mus! e;ercise !+e po0er !o puis+ for co!emp! for purposes

!+a! are impersoal, $ecause !+a! po0er is i!e#e# as a safe&uar# o! for !+e )u#&es as persos $u!

for !+e fuc!ios !+a! !+e% e;ercise.


9/21

CANON 4 CASE # 4

A""+. JULIE"A A. OAA, p&tition&, vs. J!'$& %RUDENCIO A. +ULDE, "C, !lana-, 6!&7on,&spon'&nt.

)acts

A!!%. Julie!a A. Omaa "le# a s0or le!!er-complai! #a!e# Oc!o$er >, C77F c+ar&i& Ju#&e *ru#ecio A.

ul#e, Muicipal Trial our!, Mulaa%, ue=o 0i!+ I&orace of !+e La0, Dra9e A$use of Au!+ori!%,Icompe!ece, Dra9e Misco#uc! a# o#uc! U$ecomi& a Mem$er of !+e Ju#iciar% !o&e!+er 0i!+ +er

S0or A#a9i! #a!e# (ecem$er >, C77F c+ar&i& Ju#&e ul#e 0i!+ par!iali!% i fa9or of !+e a#9erse

par!% a# e&a&i& i a #ri@i& spree 0i!+ la0%ers 0+o +a9e pe#i& cases i +is sala.

Respo#e! Ju#&e "le# +is omme! #a!e# April CH, C777.

T+e !+e our! A#miis!ra!or Alfre#o L. Beipa%o su$mi!!e# !o !+is our! +is "#i&s a#recomme#a!io #a!e# Jauar% 3, 344C !+a! complaia! claims !+a! respo#e!, is!ea# of se!!i&

i9il ase No. C>C for +eari& 0i!+i !+e se9e!%-!0o G3/ +our eec!i9i!% of !+e TRO for !+e purpose of

#e!ermii& 0+e!+er !+e same s+oul# $e e;!e#e# or o!, se! !+e +eari& $e%o# sai# perio# i

9iola!io of !+e Rules. I +is comme!, respo#e! ei!+er #eies or co"rms !+is accusa!io. T+e

ues!ioe# TRO a# or#er se!!i& !+e summar% +eari& $e%o# !+e prescri$e# perio# 0ere o!

su$mi!!e#. Di9e !+is faili&s, respo#e! +as i +is fa9or !+e presump!io of re&ulari!% i !+e

performace of ocial #u!%.

O !+e claim of respo#e!s alle&e# failure !o ac! o !+e mo!ios "le# $% complaia!, respo#e!se;plaa!io !+ereo is #e9oi# of meri!. (ela% i resol9i& mo!ios a# ici#e!s pe#i& $efore a )u#&e

0i!+i !+e re&leme!ar% perio# of 74-#a%s ";e# $% !+e cos!i!u!io a# !+e la0 is o! e;cusa$le a#

cos!i!u!es &ross ieciec%.

omplaia! also assails !+e 9ali#i!% of respo#e!s Or#er of Sep!em$er CF, C77F &ra!i& !+e E;-*ar!e

TRO 0i!+ !0e!% 34/ #a% eec!i9i!% 0+ic+ mus! $e raise# o !+e proper )u#icial forum a# o! !+rou&+

!+e is!a! a#miis!ra!i9e complai!.

Respo#e! coul# o! escape a#miis!ra!i9e resposi$ili!% for +is a#mi!!e# ac! of +a9i& a #ri@i&

spree 0i!+ a &roup of persos 0+ic+ iclu#es A!!%. A$ce#e 0+o +as pe#i& cases 0i!+ +is sala,

especiall% !+a! !+e same 0as #oe #uri& oce +ours o!0i!+s!a#i& !+a! !+e same 0as ou!si#e !+e

cour!. As a )u#&e, +e ou&+! !o a9oi# occasios 0+ere +is par!iali!% ma% $e pu! !o #ou$! or suspicio.

Oe 0+o occupies a e;al!e# posi!io i !+e a#miis!ra!io of )us!ice mus! pa% a +i&+ price for !+e

+oor $es!o0e# upo +im, for +is pri9a!e as 0ell as +is ocial co#uc! mus! a! all !imes $e free from

!+e appearace of improprie!%.

Iss!&

ON respo#e! Ju#&e &uil!% of ieciec% a# improprie!%, 9iola!e# caos of !+e o#e of Ju#icial

o#uc!.

3&l'

es. Respo#e! Ju#&e *ru#ecio A. ul#e &uil!% of ieciec% a# improprie!%, i 9iola!io of Rule

3.4C, ao 3 a# Rule 8.4H, ao 8 of !+e o#e of Ju#icial o#uc!. A "e of *C4,444.44 is impose#

o +im, !o $e #e#uc!e# from +is re!ireme! $ee"!s, su$)ec! !o !+e "al resolu!io.


10/21

1e 0as iecie! $% 9ir!ue #ela% i resol9i& mo!ios a# ici#e!s pe#i& $efore a )u#&e 0i!+i !+e

re&leme!ar% perio# of 74-#a%s ";e# $% !+e cos!i!u!io a# !+e la0 Dui!o5C6 9s. Lucero, 3?C SRA C,

Au&us! 8, C77?/

Rule 8.4H. A )u#&e s+oul# #ispose of !+e cour!s $usiess promp!l% a# #eci#e cases 0i!+i !+e reuire#

perio#s. e +a9e cosis!e!l% +el# !+a! a )u#&e s+oul# $e im$ue# 0i!+ a +i&+ sese of #u!% a#

resposi$ili!% i !+e #isc+ar&e of +is o$li&a!io !o promp!l% a#miis!er )us!ice

As a )u#&e, +e ou&+! !o a9oi# occasios 0+ere +is par!iali!% ma% $e pu! !o #ou$! or suspicio. Oe 0+o

occupies a e;al!e# posi!io i !+e a#miis!ra!io of )us!ice mus! pa% a +i&+ price for !+e +oor$es!o0e# upo +im, for +is pri9a!e as 0ell as +is ocial co#uc! mus! a! all !imes $e free from !+e

appearace of improprie!% Lu&ue 9s. a%aa, 37 SRA C?H/

Rule 3.4C. A )u#&e s+oul# so $e+a9e a! all !imes as !o promo!e pu$lic co"#ece i !+e i!e&ri!% a#

impar!iali!% of !+e )u#iciar%. Mem$ers of !+e Ju#iciar% are e;pec!e# !o so co#uc! !+emsel9es as !o $e

$e%o# reproac+ a# suspicio, a# $e free from a% appearace of improprie!% i !+eir persoal

$e+a9ior o! ol% i !+e #isc+ar&e of !+eir ocial #u!ies $u! also i !+eir pri9a!e capaci!ies.


11/21

CANON 4 CASE # 8

ENGR. EDGARDO C. GARCIA vs JUDGE ELJO3N DE LA %E9A

MA !+e our! o0 lif! !+e $a o reemplo%me! a&ais! respo#e! a# or#er !+e

pa%me! of all +is "acial $ee"!s T+is is !+e sole issue !o $e resol9e# i +is plea for )u#icial

clemec% a# compassio.

I i!s Resolu!io #a!e# 2e$ruar% 7, C77>, !+e our! #ismisse# respo#e!

Ju#&e Mel)o+ #e la *ea from !+e ser9ice for par!iali!%, a$use of au!+ori!% a# &ra9e a$use of

#iscre!io rela!i9e !o rimial ase No. 3HGG. T+e #isposi!i9e por!io of !+e resolu!io s!a!es:

AOR(INDL, &spon'&nt J!'$& &l:o/n '& la %&a Ac!i& Ju#&e of Muicipal Trial our! of Na9al, Le%!e/ of !+e Muicipal ircui! Trial our! of ai$ira-ula$a, Le%!e is /&&;- DISISSED om t/& s&vic& 0it/ o&it!& o all;&n&


12/21

#ismissal.Accor#i& !o E&r. Darcia, sice !+e #ismissal of respo#e! from !+e ser9ice, +e +as

$ee closel% o$ser9i& respo#e!< !+a! +e +as o!ice# !+a! respo#e! +as

reforme# a#+as co#uc!e# +imself i our locali!% 0i!+ #ecec%, #i&i!% a# +oora$l%

$e"!!i& of a la0%er a# a )u#&e< !+a! 0+e respo#e! as@e# for +is for&i9eess, m% famil%

0illi&l% for&a9e +im< !+a! +e +a# o o$)ec!io !o a% appeal or pe!i!io of respo#e! for !+e

lif!i& of +is respo#e!s/ #isuali"ca!io from &o9erme! emplo%me! a#or for !+e

pa%me! of !+e "acial $ee"!s !+a! +e respo#e!/ 0oul# +a9e $ee e!i!le# !o if +e 0ere

o! #ismisse# from !+e ser9ice.5H6

Also, i +is omme!5?6 "le# o Oc!o$er C>, 344F, complaia! rei!era!e# !+a! +e i!erposes o

o$)ec!io !o respo#e!s plea.

Respo#e! !+us see@s !+e lif!i& of !+e pro+i$i!io o reemplo%me! i !+e &o9erme!ser9ice a# !+e pa%me! of all "acial $ee"!s +e mi&+! o!+er0ise $e e!i!le# !o.

To $e sure, !+e peal!% impose# o respo#e! 0as ma#e pursua! !o Rule KI' of !+e

Omi$us Rules Impleme!i& Boo@ ' of E;ecu!i9e Or#er No. 373 A#miis!ra!i9e o#e of C7FG/

0+ic+ pro9i#es:

T+e peal!% of #ismissal s+all carr% 0i!+ i! cacella!io of eli&i$ili!%, forfei!ureof lea9e cre#i!s a# re!ireme! $ee"!s, a# !+e #isuali"ca!io for re-emplo%me!i !+e &o9erme! ser9ice. 2ur!+er, i! ma% $e impose# 0i!+ou! pre)u#ice !ocrimial or ci9il lia$ili!%.

1o0e9er, !+ere +a9e $ee is!aces i !+e pas! 0+e !+is our! +as s+o0 compassio

i mo#if%i& alrea#% "al #ecisios i a#miis!ra!i9e cases.5G6

I Cathay Paci%c ,ir$ays -td. v. Romillo r.,5F6 !+is our!, ou! of +umai!aria

cosi#era!ios, allo0e# #ismisse# Ju#&e Romillo, Jr. !o e)o%

all 9aca!io a# sic@ lea9e$ee"!s !+a! +e eare# #uri& +is &o9erme! ser9ice. I Pr!dential

/an0 v. Castro,576 !+is our! li@e0ise allo0e# respo#e! Ju#&e !o e)o% !+e moe% eui9ale!

of all +is 9aca!io a# sic@ lea9e $ee"!s.

2ur!+ermore, i9il Ser9ice ommissio Memora#um ircular M/ No. >C, Series of

C77F, as ame#e# $% M No. C>, Series of C777, pro9i#es:

http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2008/december2008/MTJ-92-687.htm#_ftn6http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2008/december2008/MTJ-92-687.htm#_ftn7http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2008/december2008/MTJ-92-687.htm#_ftn8http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2008/december2008/MTJ-92-687.htm#_ftn9http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2008/december2008/MTJ-92-687.htm#_ftn10http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2008/december2008/MTJ-92-687.htm#_ftn6http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2008/december2008/MTJ-92-687.htm#_ftn7http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2008/december2008/MTJ-92-687.htm#_ftn8http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2008/december2008/MTJ-92-687.htm#_ftn9http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2008/december2008/MTJ-92-687.htm#_ftn10


13/21

Sec!io 8G. Payment of terminal leave. A% ocialemplo%ee of !+e&o9erme! 0+o re!ires, 9olu!aril% resi&s, or is separa!e# from !+e ser9ice a#0+o is o! o!+er0ise co9ere# $% special la0, s+all $e e!i!le# !o !+e commu!a!ioof +is lea9e cre#i!s e;clusi9e of Sa!ur#a%s, Su#a%s a# 1oli#a%s 0i!+ou! limi!a!ioa# re&ar#less of !+e perio# 0+e !+e cre#i!s 0ere eare#.

Sec!io ?H. &'ect of decision in administrative case. A ocial or emplo%ee

0+o +as $ee peali=e# 0i!+ #ismissal from !+e ser9ice is li@e0ise o! $arre# frome!i!leme! !o +is !ermial lea9e $ee"!s.

Also, Sec!io CC.A.C, Rule C>4 of !+e Re9ise# Rules of our!, as ame#e# $% A.M. No. 4C-F-C4-

S, pro9i#es:

Sec!io CC. Sanctions.

A. If !+e respo#e! is &uil!% of a serious c+ar&e, a% of !+e follo0i& sac!iosma% $e impose#:

C. (ismissal from !+e ser9ice, forfei!ure of all or par! of !+e $ee"!s as !+e our!ma% #e!ermie, a# #isuali"ca!io from reis!a!eme! or appoi!me! !o a%

pu$lic oce, iclu#i& &o9erme!-o0e# or co!rolle# corpora!ios. *ro9i#e#,+o0e9er, !+a! !+e forfei!ure of $ee"!s s+all i o case iclu#e accrue# lea9ecre#i!s. U#erscori& supplie#/

T+e our! "#s !+a! !+e same leiec% ma% $e accor#e# Ju#&e #e la *ea. T+us, i !+e

i!eres! of )us!ice, +e ma% $e allo0e# !o claim !+e lea9e cre#i!s !+a! +e eare# #uri& +is

emplo%me! i !+e &o9erme! ser9ice.

e o!e, +o0e9er, !+a! !+e lif!i& of !+e pro+i$i!io o reemplo%me! of respo#e! i

!+e &o9erme! ser9ice 0ill ser9e o prac!ical 9alue or useful purpose, cosi#eri& !+a! +e is

o0 more !+a G8 %ears ol#.

23ERE)ORE, premises cosi#ere#, !+e our! resol9es !o AEND !+e #isposi!i9e

por!io of i!s Resolu!io of 2e$ruar% 7, C77> !o rea# as follo0s: AOR(INDL,respo#e!

Ju#&e Mel)o+ #e la *ea Ac!i& Ju#&e of !+e Muicipal Trial our! of Na9al, Le%!e/ of !+e

Muicipal ircui! Trial our! of ai$ira-ula$a, Le%!e is +ere$%DISISSED from !+e ser9ice

0i!+ forfei!ure of all $ee"!s a# 0i!+ pre)u#ice !o reis!a!eme! or reappoi!me! !o a%

pu$lic oce, iclu#i& &o9erme!-o0e# or co!rolle# corpora!ios. e may ho$ever en"oy

all vacation and sic0 leave bene%ts that he earned d!rin# the period of his #overnment

service.5C46

http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2008/december2008/MTJ-92-687.htm#_ftn11http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2008/december2008/MTJ-92-687.htm#_ftn11


14/21

)he iscal (ana#ement and /!d#et 3ce is ordered to comp!te and immediately release

those leave bene%ts to him. 5Re9isio i!alici=e#6

T+is Resolu!io is imme#ia!el% e;ecu!or%.

SO ORDERED.


15/21

CANON 4 CASE # >

E)REN JAVIER an' %EDRO JAVIER, Complainants, vs. JUDGE SALVADOR %. DEGU?AN, JR. , Respondent

Disbarment proceedings on the ground of "dishonorable conduct" were instituted on 8 August 1989 before the

Committee on Bar Discipline of the Integrated Bar by complainants Efren a!ier son# and $edro a!ier father#against respondent %al!ador $& de 'u(man) r&) as a member of the Bar and as $residing udge of the *egional+rial Court) ,a-ati) ,etro ,anila& .owe!er) pursuant to %upreme Court Circular /o& 089) dated 9 2ebruary 1989)re3uiring that complaints filed in the IB$ against ustices and udges of the lower Courts be promptly referred tothe %upreme Court for appropriate action) the Complaint was e!entually transmitted to this Court&

After the Comment by *espondent udge and the *eply by Complainants were filed) the Court referred the caseto ,me& ustice 4orna 4& de la 2uente of the Court of Appeals for in!estigation) report and recommendation&

+he *eport and *ecommendation was submitted to the Court on 56 %eptember 1996&7nad

Complainants allege that) on December 198) Efren a!ier) and his mother) 4olita a!ier) borrowed $566)666&66from *espondent udge with interest orally agreed upon at ten per cent 16# monthly& +hey tendered to thelatter :C$B Chec- /o& B/E 61585) dated anuary 1988) in the amount of $556)666&66& +he drawer of the

chec- was actually Donato Belen) a brotherinlaw of Efren) as the a!iers had no personal chec-ing account& +hefollowing day) *espondent re3uired them to sign a ,emorandum of Agreement) which they did& +wo of theconditions imposed were interest at the rate of twenty per cent 56# per month) compounded monthly) andshould they fail to pay the loan and its interest upon maturity on anuary 1988 and the chec- is deposited anddishonored) an appropriate charge for !iolation of Batas $ambansa Blg& 55 may be filed at *espondent;s option& April 1988) was dishonored by the drawee ban-&

?n 8 %eptember 1988) *espondent instituted suit for a "%um of ,oney and Damages with $rayer for the Issuanceof a


16/21

against the a!iers was the more "ci!ili(ed thing to do&" And as to the filing of the case in ,a-ati) he reasons outthat it was upon prior consultation with the Eecuti!e udge&


17/21

the owner and drawer of the chec-) and) therefore) is not the proper person to be charged& ?n this score) theIn!estigating ustice found) and with which we agree7

"& & & E!en discounting the weight of complainant;s said e!idence) it bears emphasis that while the casewas shall under in!estigation before the 2iscal;s ?ffice) respondent had) as he himself admits) alreadybeen informed that it was not Efren a!ier who had signed the postdated chec-& +hus) it was) under theaforecited Canons) respondent;s bounden duty as a udge whose personal beha!ior should at all times)e!en in his e!eryday life) be beyond reproach so as to promote public confidence in the dignity) honor)integrity) and independence of the Gudiciary Canon 0) supra#) who should endea!or always to pre!ent theerosion of such public confidence ;by irresponsible or improper conduct; to disregard his personalanimosity towards the a!iers and to see to the forthright dismissal of the case& .e failed to comply with

this duty when he instead saw to the continuation of the prosecution of the case until it reached the*egional +rial Court and up to its termination thereat with the ac3uittal of Efren#&"

+he fourth charge that of ha!ing filed with the BI* and the Ci!il %er!ice Commission administrati!e chargesagainst Complainant $edro) notwithstanding *espondent;s -nowledge of the fact that $edro had no participationwhatsoe!er in the loan transaction in 3uestion was found by ustice de la 2uente to be unsubstantiated&


18/21

+he rationale for the rule applies with e3ual !igor in this case&

#& In this regard)*espondent had eposed the Bench to possible charges of eertion of undue pressure and influence&

+he continued prosecution of the criminal charge for !iolation of Batas $ambansa Blg& 55 against ComplainantEfren) despite subse3uent -nowledge that the latter was not the drawer of the chec- but his brotherinlaw)although Efren had filled out the chec- himself) again ehibits reproachable conduct& *espondent could ha!emo!ed for the dismissal of the case) considering his professional responsibility not to encourage) for any moti!eor interest) any suit or proceeding *ule 1&60) Code of $rofessional *esponsibility#&

.is eplanation that the ma-ing and the issuance of a chec- without sufficient funds constitute separate offensesso that he could proceed e!en against Efren) ehibits "splitting of hairs" and a misuse of Court processes in orderto promote one;s own interests& As it was) the criminal charge was dismissed&

All told) traces of animosity and harassment on the part of *espondent udge are all too e!ident) in sharpcontrast to what a udge should be the embodiment of what is Gudicious) proper and fair&7 nad


19/21

CANON 4 CASE# @

In R& Ro'olo an7ano

2ac!s:

Ju#&e Ma=ao "le# a pe!i!io allo0i& +im !o accep! !+e appoi!me! $% Ilocos Sur Do9eror Ro#olfo

2arias as !+e mem$er of Ilocos Nor!e pro9icial ommi!!ee o Jus!ice crea!e# pursua! !o a

*resi#e!ial Or#er. 1e pe!i!ioe# !+a! +is mem$ers+ip i !+e ommi!!ee 0ill o! i a% 0a% amou! !o

a a$a#ome! !o +is prese! posi!io as E;ecu!i9e Ju#&e of Brac+ KIK, RT, Cs! Ju#icial re&io a#as a mem$er of )u#iciar%.

Issue:

+a! is a a#miis!ra!i9e a&ec% +ere #oes i! #ra0 !+e lie isofar as a#miis!ra!i9e fuc!ios are

cocere#

Ruli&:

T+e pe!i!io is #eie#. T+e os!i!u!io pro+i$i!s !+e #esi&a!io of mem$ers of !+e Ju#iciar% !o a%

a&ec% performi& uasi-Ju#icial or A#miis!ra!i9e fuc!ios Sec.C3,Ar!.'III, C7FG os!i!u!io/.

uasi-Ju#icial +as a fairl% clear meai& a# Ju#&es ca co"#e!l% refrai from par!icipa!i& i !+e0or@ of a% A#miis!ra!i9e A&ec% 0+ic+ a#)u#ica!es #ispu!es co!ro9ersies i9ol9i& !+e ri&+!s of

par!ies 0i!+i i!s )uris#ic!io.

A#miis!ra!i9e fuc!ios are !+ose 0+ic+ i9ol9e !+e re&ula!io a# co!rol o9er !+e co#uc! aairs

of i#i9i#uals for !+eir o0 0elfare a# !+e promul&a!io of rules a# re&ula!ios !o $e!!er carr% ou! !+e

polic% of !+e Le&isla!ure or suc+ as are #e9ol9e# upo !+e a#miis!ra!i9e a&ec% $% !+e or&aic la0 of

i!s e;is!ece.

PA#miis!ra!i9e fuc!iosQ as use# i Sec. C3 refers !o !+e Do9erme!s e;ecu!i9e mac+ier% a# i!s

performace of &o9erme!al ac!s. I! refers !o !+e maa&eme! ac!ios, #e!ermia!ios, a# or#ers of

e;ecu!i9e ocials as !+e% a#miis!er !+e la0s a# !r% !o ma@e &o9erme! eec!i9e. T+ere is aeleme! of posi!i9e ac!io, of super9isio or co!rol.


20/21

CANON 4Cas& #

NA"IONAL *UREAU O) INVES"IGA"ION, complainant, vs. J!'$& )RANCISCO D. VILLANUEVA,&topolitan "ial Co!t o 6!&7on Cit-, *anc/ >, &spon'&nt.

omplaia! prese!e# four 0i!esses. T+e #efese, o !+e o!+er +a#, calle# ei&+!

0i!esses: Ju#&e 2racisco (. 'illaue9a +imself. T+ere 0ere 8 0omeJo$e!, Jae! a# Ju9%l%/ recrui!e# a# $rou&+! from Ta&um !o Maila 0+ere

!+e% arri9e# $% airplae earl% i !+e mori& of Jauar% C7, C777. I! 0as Maria 1errera a# +er $ro!+er*aolo 0+o me! !+em a! !+e airpor! a# $rou&+! !+em !o !+e +ouse of Marias li9e-i par!er Ju#&e

2racisco 'illaue9a a! No. C 1aa S!ree!, 2il-I9es! Ba!asa, ue=o i!%.Ne;! mori& a! $rea@fas! a$ou! G:44 ocloc@, Jo$e!, Jae! a# Ju9%l% me! respo#e! Ju#&e

'illaue9a 0+o 0as i!ro#uce# !o !+em $% Maria, I!o a# asa0a @o Ju#&e 2racisco 'illaue9a a! i!o

ama %o& m&a !ale! a &ali& (a9ao. A##ressi& Maria, respo#e! Ju#&e 'illaue9a sai#, Lo9e, ; ; ; a5&6 $a$a!a pa 56ila. 1i#i pa sila

p0e#e& ma@apu!a sa Japa. Da0i ala& a!i sila& (ace Is!ruc!or.O Jauar% 3C, C777, af!er comi& from (i9isoria !o $u% clo!+es !o 0ear as #ace is!ruc!ors, !+e

!+ree &irls 0ere $rou&+! $% respo#e! Ju#&e "rs! !o I+a0-I+a0 !+e !o !+e +ouse a! Ma!alio S!ree!,

ue=o i!% !+a! +e respo#e! Ju#&e 'illaue9a/ a# Maria o0e#.I !+e e9ei& of !+a! #a% Jo$e! sa0 respo#e! Ju#&e 'illaue9a a# Maria asleep

!o&e!+er. A0a@ee#, Maria upo seei& +er, !ol# Jo$e! !o massa&e respo#e! Ju#&e 0+ic+ s+e #i#

assis!e# $% Ju9%l%.I !+e e9ei& of Jauar% 38, C777 Jo$e!, Jae! a# Ju9%l% 0ere $rou&+! $% Maria a# respo#e!

Ju#&e !o Bo#e&a Ni&+!clu$ 0+ere !+e% s!ar!e# 0or@i& as DROs. T+ere !+e% 0or@e# for !0o i&+!s ol% $ecause !+e% coul# o! s!a# !+e 9ul&ari!% of !+eir

compaios. Bias!os po a@o & cus!omer, sai# Jae!. S+e coul# o! s!a# !+e lau&+!er a! !+em, sai#

Ju9%l%.Accor#i& !o Jo$e! cus!omers !ouc+e# +er le&s a# s+oul#ers a# @isse# +er. Jae! sai# s+e 0as

!ouc+e# from !+e s+oul#ers #o0 !o +er !+i&+s a# 0as @isse#.Af!er !+e !+ree s!oppe# 0or@i& as DROs a! Bo#e&a Ni&+! lu$, Maria 1errera a# respo#e! Ju#&e

fe!c+e# !+em from +is co#omiium a# $rou&+! !+e !+ree &irls !o T' Ni&+! lu$ i Timo&, ue=o

i!% 0+ere !+e% 0or@e# as DROs for a$ou! a 0ee@. Af!er Jauar% 37, C777, 0+e s+e Jae!/ 0as

$ias!os ; ; ; a& cus!omers, all !+ree &irls s!oppe# 0or@i& a! T' Ni&+! lu$ 0+ic+ a&ere#respo#e! Ju#&e.

I !+e e9ei& of 2e$ruar% CC, C777, Jo$e! (iocales a# Jae! Ramas 0ere rescue# $% !+e NBI

!eam a! respo#e! Ju#&es co#omiium a! CH!+ A9eue, Murp+%, Socorro, u$ao, ue=o i!%.Ju9%l%

Reuilme 0as rescue# $% !+e same !eam a! I+a0-I+a0 Balo!-Balo! Res!aura! o0e# $% Maria

1errera a# respo#e! Ju#&e.Respo#e! Ju#&e #eie# +a9i& a% amorous rela!io 0i!+ Maria 1errera. Accor#i& !o +im5,6 s+e is

$u! +is #is!a! rela!i9e o +is mo!+ers si#e. 1e 0as $u! a $usiess a#9iser !o +er5,6 0+ic+ +is 0ife

'iole!a co"rme#. 1e #i# o! +a9e a%!+i& !o #o 0i!+ !+e !+ree &irls Jo$e!, Jae! a# Ju9%l%/ s!a% a!

!+e co#omiium o0e# $% Maria a# !+eir emplo%me! as DROs. Nei!+er #i# +e sleep !+ere.536

ISSUE: 0o respo#e! is a#miis!ra!i9el% lia$le for immorali!% a# u$ecomi& co#uc!, $u! o! for&ross or serious misco#uc!.

1EL(: T+e a$o9e o!0i!+s!a#i&, respo#e! cao! $e e;cuse# for +is #ee#s. T+e aos of Ju#icial

E!+ics reuires a )u#&e !o @eep +imself free from a% appearace of improprie!%. 1is persoal $e+a9ior,

o! ol% 0+ile i !+e performace of ocial #u!ies $u! also ou!si#e !+e cour!, mus! $e $e%o# reproac+,

for +e is -- as +e is so ap!l% percei9e# !o $e -- !+e 9isi$le persoi"ca!io of la0 a# of )us!ice. A )u#icial

oce circumscri$es a persoal co#uc! a# imposes a um$er of i+i$i!ios, 0+ose fai!+ful o$ser9ace

is !+e price oe +as !o pa% for +ol#i& a e;al!e# posi!io.5?6B% +is ac!s, respo#e! clearl% facili!a!e# !+e emplo%me! of !+e !+ree %ou& 0ome as

DROs. Our prese! socie!% cosi#ers !+eir 0or@ as morall% 0ro&. B% facili!a!i& !+e emplo%me! of !+e

!+ree i a i&+! clu$ as suc+, +e 0as placi& !+e !+e impressioa$le miors #irec!l% o a pa!+ of moral#eca%.

I !+e ma!!er of immorali!%, 0e a&ree 0i!+ !+e "#i&s of !+e OA cosul!a!. 2irs!, !+e e9i#ece

clearl% s+o0s !+a! respo#e! a# Maria 1errera 0ere lo9ers $ecause respo#e! 0as fou# sleepi&

isi#e !+e same $e#room occupie# $%, !+e% 0ere co+a$i!i& i !+e same +ouse i !+e aforeme!ioe#

a##ress. 2iall%, respo#e! e9er #eie# !+a! +e 0as !+e +us$a# of 1errera 0+e +e 0as i!ro#uce#

!o complaia!s 0i!esses.I co!ras!, respo#e!s #eials a# e;plaa!ios 0ere +ollo0 a# u0or!+% of $elief. If i#ee#

+e 0as merel% !+e $usiess cosul!a! of Maria 1errera, +e 0oul# o! $e so free a# so comfor!a$le

sleepi& i !+e same $e#room as s+e or 0a@i& up a# !+e +a9i& $rea@fas! 0i!+ +er i +er

+ouse. T+is is !a@i& $usiess cosul!ac% muc+ !oo far.

http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2001/nov2001/mtj_99_1207.htm#_edn2http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2001/nov2001/mtj_99_1207.htm#_edn6http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2001/nov2001/mtj_99_1207.htm#_edn2http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2001/nov2001/mtj_99_1207.htm#_edn6


21/21

Sec. CC. Sac!ios.-- A. If !+e respo#e! is &uil!% of a serious c+ar&e, a% of !+e follo0i& sac!ios

ma% $e impose#:

C. (ismissal from !+e ser9ice, forfei!ure of all or par! of !+e $ee"!s as !+e our! ma% #e!ermie, a#

#isuali"ca!io from reis!a!eme! or appoi!me! !o a% pu$lic oce, iclu#i& &o9erme!-o0e# or

co!rolle# corpora!io. *ro9i#e#, +o0e9er, !+a! !+e forfei!ure of $ee"!s s+all i o case iclu#e

accrue# lea9e cre#i!s<

3. Suspesio from oce 0i!+ou! salar% a# o!+er $ee"!s for more !+a !+ree 8/ $u! o! e;cee#i&

si; ?/ mo!+s< or

8. A "e of more !+a *34,444.44 $u! o! e;cee#i& *>4,444.44.

osi#eri& !+a! respo#e! +as alrea#% re!ire#, +e ca o lo&er $e #ismisse# or suspe#e#. 1ece,

!+e appropria!e peal!% is a "e.

1ERE2ORE, Ju#&e 2racisco (. 'illaue9a is fou# DUILT of immorali!% a# co#uc! u$ecomi& a

)u#&e. 1e is +ere$% 2INE( i !+e amou! of *>4,444.

Documents

CANNON 4 CASE Incomplete